BAPTISM
Baptism is the sign that we belong to God and to the whole family of Christians everywhere. When we are baptized, God gives us a special gift to help us grow and learn and love: the gift of the Holy spirit working in us.
The United Church of Christ practices infant baptism, in the belief that the gracious gift of God's love is not dependent on our age or understanding. (We also observe later opportunities to affirm baptism in the rite of confirmation, in owning the covenant of church membership, etc.) We encourage baptism for all who desire the gift of God's Spirit for themselves and their children |
Your Baptism DayShare with each of your children the story of their baptism day to celebrate
their new life in Christ and embrace their relationship with God as their creator. |
Understanding your Children and baptism
Baptism is an outward symbol of God’s action in our lives. It is one way we publicly acknowledge God’s claim on us and recognize God’s love for us. As baptized people, we attempt to live as God plans for us to live and seek to follow the teachings of Jesus.
Preschoolers may not be able to grasp fully the significance of baptism, but they can recognize that baptism is important to people in the church.
Water is an important element in these lessons on baptism. Because children are sensory learners, they connect with the sound and feel of water. Help them recognize ways that water is used and is important to each of us. Then help your children discover that baptizing with water is one special way that the church uses water.
Early elementary children are beginning to identify themselves with groups of friends. It can be reassuring for children to know that they belong to God and are a part of the family of God, the church.
from Touch the Water, Taste the Bread. Cokesbury, Nashville.
Preschoolers may not be able to grasp fully the significance of baptism, but they can recognize that baptism is important to people in the church.
Water is an important element in these lessons on baptism. Because children are sensory learners, they connect with the sound and feel of water. Help them recognize ways that water is used and is important to each of us. Then help your children discover that baptizing with water is one special way that the church uses water.
Early elementary children are beginning to identify themselves with groups of friends. It can be reassuring for children to know that they belong to God and are a part of the family of God, the church.
from Touch the Water, Taste the Bread. Cokesbury, Nashville.
Marking the Anniversary of Baptism
Set a bowl of water
in the middle of your dining table or on a small table you use as a home altar.
Invite your children to fill the bowl with shells or a favorite stone.
Parents, dip your finger in the bowl and mark your child with the sign of the cross and say, "You are a child of God, marked with the sign of the cross forever.
God loves you and so do I."
Children enjoy blessing the parents in return.
Pray together--
Help us to live each day as your child, knowing we always belong and have a purpose--to share our faith and to use our gifts to make a difference in this world. Amen.
in the middle of your dining table or on a small table you use as a home altar.
Invite your children to fill the bowl with shells or a favorite stone.
Parents, dip your finger in the bowl and mark your child with the sign of the cross and say, "You are a child of God, marked with the sign of the cross forever.
God loves you and so do I."
Children enjoy blessing the parents in return.
Pray together--
Help us to live each day as your child, knowing we always belong and have a purpose--to share our faith and to use our gifts to make a difference in this world. Amen.